Vehicle door latch



Jan. 23, 1940. CRNG 2,187,933

VEHICLE DOOR LATCH Filed May '7, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 HS 3 f I INVENTOR.

Jan. 23, 1940. RA|G 2,187,933

VEHICLE DOOR LATCH Filed May 7, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3; heir/11 um'zs, 1940.

B. J. C RAIG VEHICLE DOOR LATCH Filed May 7. 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

PatentedJan. 23,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 23 Claims.

This invention relates to door latching mech anism which is particularly, although not ex clusively, adapted for use in connection with the doors of automotive vehicles, a general object 5 being to provide a mechanism including cooperating parts adapted to be mounted upon the door and/or frame and/r body pillar with the parts acting in improved and effective manner so that the door may be closed quietly and be opened to safely and easily. l

The general object of the invention is to provide a door construction for an automotive vehicle including a latch member wherein in latching the bolt may be operated only with difliculty 15 while the vehicle is in rapid motion but which can be readily operated when the vehicle is still thus avoiding accidental opening or opening by children or others.

A further object of the invention is to pro- !0 vide a novel operating means for the latch means of the doors of automotive vehicles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel finger tip control for the latch member of the door of an automotive vehicle.

15 Another object of the invention is to provide a novel, speed controlled, latching means for the door of an automotive vehicle. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for holding the latch member of an 0 automotive vehicle retracted, when the door is open, to prevent soiling the clothes or person of the vehicle occupant.

Other objects and the advantagesof my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accom panying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 isa fragmentary side elevation of a motor vehicle equipped with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the latch I device in the closed position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the latch device with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line |4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the latch device in another position;

Fig. 6 is-a side elevation showing the latch device in. another position;

Fig. 7 is a central sectional view through the governor;

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the latch device mounted on a door;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section taken on line Ill-i0 of Fig. 9; i

further modification showing the latch device in Fig. 11 is a side elevation showing a modified construction; 7

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the modified latch device mounted in a door;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 5 on line Iii-l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the modified latch device shown in another position;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the modified latch device shown in another position;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the modified latch device shown in another position; Fig. 17 is a section taken on line I 'l--ll of Fig. 11;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary section taken on line 15 l8l8'of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of a further modified construction;

Fig. 21 Ba fragmentary side elevation of the 20 further modification with the latch in another position;

' Fig. 22 is a fragmentary side elevation of the another position; and

Fig. 23 is a wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 10 as embodied in a door latch mechanism which is indicated generally at Ill and is shown as i'nlounted upon an automotive vehicle indicated at The vehicle shown has a body 12 of the sedan type and includes doors I3 mounted on suitable hinges secured to the door frame, to swing towards and from a body pillar H.

The doors are preferably alike and but one will be described. Each door-includes a latch device indicated at I5 mounted on a plate It having a flange l1 and suitably secured upon the door. '40 The sliding latch member indicated at I8 is controlled by a roll back l9 which is actuated by the outside door handle 20 or by a remote control handle 2| which shifts an actuator 22 so that whenthe handle 2| is turned in one direction the latch member is moved to door releasing position. A strike 23 is engaged by. the bolt.

In the present invention, as shown, a spring 24 normally urges the latch bolt l8 to advanced position. The spring 24 is preferably a light one thus enabling the latch member to be retracted easily and quickly. ,1

The use of a light easily controlled spring,- however, if left unguarded might produce a conditlon in certain circumstances which while the 66 vehicle was running would permit the door to open accidentally or might To overcome this possibility a novel speed responsive control is provided for the latch member. As shown the construction includes a spring 25 which is disposed on the plate l6 adjacent to the latch member l6 in the path of movementof a retractable pin 26. This pin 26 is normally in a position so that when the latch member is rocked by the door handles 26 or 2| the pin 26 engages the spring 25 so. that both the springs 24 and 25 must be tensioned to open the door.

The pin 26 is normally out of engagement with latter engaging a stop 21 the spring 25, the on the plate l6 so that the spring and pin are spaced apart, as at 28. The pin 26 is normally free to fall by gravity to a position so that it may emage the spring 25 to the position shown by a spring 26. The pin 26 is shown as continuous with the core 36 of a v solenoid 3| which is mounted on the latch member la, the construction being such that when the solenoid is energizedv the pin 26 will be moved from its normal position to a location out of the path of movement of the spring 25. Thus it will be seen that after the solenoid 3| is energized only the spring 24 need be tensioned to slide the bolt.

In order to vary the tension required to retract the bolt a speed responsive device is employed.

This device is shown as a governor 32 (see Fig. '1)

connected to a speedmeter drive shaft 33 although it will be-understood that this speedometer shaft is merely illustrative of one device which is responsive to speed and that the governor 32 may be otherwise driven so long as it responds to the speed of some portion of the vehicle or its driving means. Y

The governor 32, as shown includes a body 34 having a closure 35 thereon at one end andhaving a plug closure 36 at the other end. The body includes a shaft 31 which rotates therein and which at each end includes a coupling 36 of any desired type by means of which the shaft 31 is coupled to the speedometer shaft 33.

The shaft 31 includes a collar 33 fixed thereon and a second collar 46 slidable thereon, the collars being urged apart by a spring 4|. The collars are connected by pivoted arms 42 which have governor weights 43 thereon and the construction is such that when the shaft 31 revolves the weights 43 move outwardly thus compressing the spring 4| and shifting the movable collar 46. The tension of the spring 4| determines the shifting of the movable collar so that the latter is moved from its extreme position when the speedometer shaft rotates at a predetermined speed. The collar 46 has an insulating portion on which a metal circuit closer 44 is mounted. The circuit closer 44 when the spring urges it to operative position engages contact pins 45 on the body 34.

One of the pins 45 is connected by a. lead 46 (see Fig. 8) with a battery 41 which is grounded as at 46. The other pin 45 is connected to a plurality of leads 46. Each lead 49' is connected to a contact 56 on a door i3 and is arranged adjacent to asecond contact 5| which is connected by a lead 52 with the solenoid 3|. The solenoid is grounded by a lead 53. The contacts 56 and 5| are mounted on the plate IS in the path of movement of a projection 54 on the rollback IS. The projection 54 includes a circuit closer 55 which is adapted to bridge the contact 56 and allow it to be opened by curious persons, such as children.

and is also normally urged The projection 54 a push button 59 at the end of the control member 61 is depressed it rocks the roll back member IS. A pring 51'- normally urges the control member 51 upwardly.

The control member erated by a finger tip above the molding on the outside of the door. The push button 66 is mounted on a U-shaped member 6| which extends about the window glass 62 and engages the member 51. It will be noted that one speed controlled member' (the governor 32) functions with the latches of all the doors The present construction thus provides a finger tip door control which operates independent of the usual door handles 26 and 2| and which operates without drain on the battery since no current flows except during the interval when the bolt'is being retracted. Since there is normally nopressure on the pin 26 except that of the spring 29 the pin can be moved by a small solenoid. I o

From the foregoing descriptionit will be apparent that when either of the finger tip control members 56 or 66 is operated when the door is latched and the vehicle is at rest or is moving so slowly that the circuit is closed through the governor 32 the circuit will be closed (as a preliminary to withdrawal of the bolt) through the contacts 56 and 5|. This causes the pin 26 to be withdrawn whereby the spring 25 is ineffective to restrain the action of the roll back so that a finger tip-pressure on the members16 or 51 as shown may be op- 2| is all that need be employed when it is safe to the interior handle 2| (or the exterior handle 26) is customary with the usual may be operated as type of door latch. Also the door handles 26 or 2| may be employed when the vehicle is at rest to open the doors and in this operation the handles 26 or 2| will be movable easily since the spring 25 will not function to restrain the latch' member.

An end portion 25a on the spring 25 prevents the pin 26 from getting behind the spring when the solenoid is de-energized while the latch member is retracted.

I In order to hold the'bolt member I6 retracted while the door is open a dog 65 may be provided. As shown the dog 65 is pivoted, as at 66, to the plate l6 and includes an end portion 61 which engages a notch 68 in the latch member l8 unless the latch member is retracted. A spring 66 noron the roll back l6 ispivotally connected as at 56 to a finger tip control push button 66 disposed mally'urges the portion 61 to engaged position as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

To control the dog 65 a sliding member 16 is mounted upon the plate l6 and is pivotally con-- nected to a link 1| mounted on the door frame,

The with a trip when the door is opened and closed the v aromas.

When the door is being closed, as in Fig. 6,-

the bolt is held retracted by the dog 85 until the end of the trip member engages the dog and pushes it from the notch 88. This action occurs when the. door is almost closed so that the bolt latch member is free to advance. As the door is fully closed a cam shoulder I1 on the trip member engages a pin "on the plate I8 and rocks the trip member upwardly so that it passes above the upper end I8 of the dog as shown in Fig. 2. This end I8 is then free to rock under the trip member when the bolt I8 is again moved to retracted position as shown in Fig. 5.

When the door is opened the member I8 moves to the right in Fig. 5 until the shoulder II is free from the pin I8 whereupon the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 6 so that the trip member is again in a position to rock the dog 85.

In Figs 11 to 19 inclusive a modification of the invention is shown wherein novel means is provided for moving the latch bolt to disengaged position. In the modification the latch mechanism is indicated at I8 and includes .a plate I5 having a latch member I8 mounted to slide between tongues 88 and 8| punched from the plate I5. The latch member is controlled by a roll back I8 which is, actuated by an outside door handle member 28' or by a remote control inner handle member 2|. The member 2| shifts an actuator 22 which is connected to the bolt member I8 at 22a. A strike 23' is engaged by the bolt end of the latch member.

A spring 24' mounted on the tongue 8| engages a pin 82 on the latch member I 8' to normally urge the latch member towards engaged position.

In order to hold the bolt member I8 in retracted position a pivoted dog 55' is provided .which engages in a notch 68' on the bolt member. A sliding member 18' is mounted on the plate I5 and is moved in the same manner in which the member 18, previously described, is moved. The member 18 has an L-shaped end portion 83 welded thereto and on the portion 83 a trip member I3 is mounted. A spring I5 normally urges the trip member 13' upwardly against a shoulder a. A spring 58' normally urges the dog 65' to engaged position. The operation of the dog 85' by the trip member I3 is the same as that previously described in connection with the dog 65 and trip member I3.

In order to move the bolt member I8 from its advanced position to its retracted position so that the door may be opened a spring 88 is provided which is mounted on the plate I6 and which engages a pin 8| on the latch member I8.

The strength of the spring 88 relative to the spring 24' is such that the spring 88 will move the latch member I8 against the tension of the spring 24' and will also overcome the friction between the latch member I8 and its strike.

In order to restrain the spring 88 so that it does not prematurely slide the latch member to disengaged position a trigger mechanism is pro vided. As shown the trigger mechanism includes a member 82 slidable beneath tongues 83 on the plate I8 and which has a pin 84 thereon disposed in the path of the spring 88. To hold the member 82 against movement and thus arrest action of the spring88 I provide a latch 85 which 3 is pivoted at u to the plate w and which n in a notch 81 In the member 82.

The latch member 85 is pivotally connected by a pin 88 to a control member 88 which includes a slot 88' receiving the pin 88 and has push buttons 88' and 88' similar, to the push buttons 58 and 88 previously described. A spring I88 normally urges the control member 88 to a position wherein the latch member 85 is engaged. In

order to provide speed control means for the control member 88 a solenoid II is employed which includes a pin 25'. The pin 26' is in the path of a tongue 85' on the latch member 85. The solenoid 8| and pin 28' are similar in all respects to the solenoid 3| and pin 25 previously described and are in a circuit (Fig. 19) which includes a governor 32 and spaced contacts 58' and 5| which are adapted to be bridged by a circuit closer mounted on the control member 88 and the operation of the circuit including leads 46', 48', 52' and 53 is similar in all respects to that of the circuit previously described.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 11 either the door handle 28' or the remote control handle 2| may be operated to shift the latch bolt I8 and in this operation the usual action will occur and the spring 88 will remain inactive being restrained by the pin 84.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 11 and either. the finger tip control button 58', or the button 58' is depressed, this action will first cause the member 88 to move downwardly so that the circuit closer 55' bridges the contacts 58' and 5|. governor 32' maintains the circuit open (as it may when the vehicle is running at any appreciable speed) the pin 26' will prevent rocking of the latch. member 85 due tofurther downward movement of the control member 88. Thus the door cannot be opened by the finger tip control but may be opened by the door handles.

If the circuit through the governor 32' is closed then when the contacts 58' and 5| are bridged by operation of the finger tip control the solenoid will be energized thus withdrawing the pin 28' from the path of the tongue 85' on the latch 85 thus allowing further movement of the control member 88 causing the latch 85 to be freed, thus releasing the sliding member 82 so that it is moved by the spring 88 and the latch member I8 is moved to disengaged position by the spring 88 whereupon the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 15 where a tongue 88' on the slide 82 engages a tongue 83.

which is arranged beneath the actuator 22 and which is movable beneath tongues I83 on the member 83. The slide I82 is normally urged to-- wards the pin |8I by a spring I84 and is prevented from advancing when in the position shown in Fig. 11 by engagement of a bevelled portion I85 thereon with a pin I86 on the plate I5. After the latch member has been retracted, as previously described, and when the door is swung to open position the member 18' is moved to the right thus'moving theslide I82 so that the bevelled portion I85 leaves the pin I85 and is free tobe moved upwardly by the spring I84. Upward motion of the slide I82 continues until a shoulder I85 engages one of the upper tongues I83.

While the door is being opened and after the slide has moved upwardly the curved upper end I81 of the slide I82 engages the pin I8I and is When this is done, if the.

to the left in Fig. 16

IM until it passes the latter and is again the spring. I04 to the position spring 90 due to its engagement with the pin cated at 65" and 90. This tensioning of the spring continues until the latch 95 enters the notch 91 just before the pin I06 engages the bevelled surface I05. Further slight movement of the member 10 as the door is fully closed causes the.surface I05 to engage the pin I06 and shift the slide I02 downwardly so that it frees the pin IOI whereupon the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 11. In Figs. to 23 a further modification of the invention is shown wherein a latch plate I6" slidably supports a latch 'member I8" which is adapted to be shifted to retracted position by cans of a roll back I9" operated by an outside door handle (not shown) or by a remote control handle (not shown) which operates an actuator 22".

A spring IIO mounted on the plate I6" includes a portion III disposed in the path of a pin 26" on a solenoid 3|", which are likethe pin and solenoid 25 and 3| previously mentioned. The spring continues from the portion I II to an upper portion II2 which engages a pin II3 on the control member I8. The roll back I9" includes a circuit closer 55" which is like the circuit closer 55 and which bridges contacts 50" and SI".

The roll back I9" includes an end portion IIl which engages an inclined surface 'II5 on the latch member I8" so that when the latch member is shifted by the actuator 22" the engagement between the portions Ill and H5 rocks the roll back and closes the circuit from the contact 50" across the contacts 50" and 5|". This action occurs before the pin 26" engages the spring I I0.

When the roll back I9" is operated by the outside door handle the same condition prevails so that in either case the circuit is completed to a governor 32" similar in all respects to ernor 32 and'which includes contacts one of which is in circuit with the contact and the other of which is in circuit with a battery 48".

When the vehicle is moving at such speed that the circuit is broken between the two contacts 45" the pin 26" remains in engagement with the spring I I0 so that when the latch member is shifted by either handle the pin 26" engages the spring III so that the latter must be tensioned in order to open the door. The leverage under this condition is such that considerable force is required to open the door so that the safety feature previously described is present.

When, however, due to the speed of the vehicle being decreased sufliciently so that the contacts 45" are bridged, then under this condition when either the inside or outside door handle is operated the circuit is closed to the solenoid 3| whereupon the pin 26" is withdrawn. As the latch bolt is shifted the only resistance offered by the spring H0 is at the portion H2 at which location the resistance is so slight that a finger tip control on the door handles is all that is necessary to shift the latch bolt.

In the further modification described the means for holding the latch member retracted and the means-for releasing the holding member as indirespectively'are similar in all respects to the members and 10 previously described.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

the gov- 7 1'. In an automotive vehicle construction, a

frame member, a door member hinged to the frame member, a bolt onone of the members mov- '-able to engage the other member to hold the door member closed, means to restrain retraction of the bolt, means responsive-to the speed of the vehicle to vary the force of the restraining means so that the bolt is under the influence of a light force or a heavy force, finger operated means effective to retract the bolt when under the influence ofthe light force, said finger operated means being ineffective to shift the bolt'when under the influence of the heavy force and hand operated means to shift the bolt when under the influence of the heavy force.

2. In an automotive vehicle door latch, a bolt, means to restrain movement of the bolt from engaged position, means operable at all times to move the bolt to disengaged position, and speed controlled means on the vehicle operable to vary the force of the restraining means.

3. The combination with an automotive vehicle having a door and a bolt for holding' the door closed, of tensioned means to hold the bolt in engaged position, engaged position and means to vary the tension of the tensioned means when the vehicle speed is varied.

4. In an automotive vehicle construction, a frame member, a door member hinged to the frame member, a bolt .on one of the members movable to engage the other member to' hold the door member closed, means to restrain retraction of the bolt, means whereby the speed of the vehicle determines the force-of the retraction restraining means and means to retract the bolt.

5. In alatch for an automotive vehicle door member, a lock movable to hold the door member closed, means to restrain retraction of the bolt, means stronger than the restraining means to urge the bolt to retracted position, means normally preventing actuation of the stronger means and vehicle speed influenced means operable to release the stronger means. 1

6-. In an automotive vehicle construction, a door member, a frame member, a bolt on one of said members movable to engage the other member, spring means engageable with the bolt to. restrain movement of the bolt from engaged po-- sition and means subject to the speed of the vehicle to vary the location of the effective engagement between the bolt and the bolt restraining means and to thereby vary the tension. of the spring on the bolt.

'7. In an automotive vehicle door latch construction, a bolt movable to hold the door closed, means to restrain movement of the bolt from advanced position, means independent of vehicle speed to retract the bolt, vehicle speed controlled means, other means operable to retract the bolt, and means under control of the vehicle speed controlled means to decrease the force required to retract the bolt upon retraction of the bolt by the other retracting means.

8. In a latch construction for doors of automotive vehicles, a bolt, means to advance the bolt,

.means to retract the bolt, means subject to'vemeans to move the boltto dis- .5

vehicle speed controlled means operable to tree the preventing means-and to permit the second urging means to operate.

.movement of the bolt from engaged position,

means operable at all times to retract the bolt, and vehicle speed influenced means operable to control the force required to actuate the bolt retracting means.

11, In a latch device for a motor vehicle door, a bolt, means to advance the bolt to engaged position, means to cause the bolt to retract from engaged position, the retracting means including a hand operated member on the door operable to retract the bolt under all speed conditions of the vehicle and a finger tip actuated, speed influenced, means operable only when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined rate to cause the bolt to retract.

12. In a latch for automotive vehicle doors, a bolt, means to advance the bolt, means to retract the bolt, actuating means subject to vehicle speed to cause the retracting means to act, and means independent of vehicle speed and independent of the actuating means to cause the bolt to retract.

13. In an automotive vehicle door latch device, a bolt, means to move the bolt to engaged position, hand operated means operable at all times by heavy pressure to release the bolt, finger tip operated means to release the bolt by application of alight force, means to prevent actuation of the finger tip operated means and speed con 7 trolled means to render the preventive meansoi' non-effect.

14. In an automotive vehicle door latch, a bolt, means to advance the bolt, means to retract the bolt, control means for the retracting means, the control means including electro-magnetic means and one or more circuits therefor normally open when the vehicle is running, vehicle speed control means to maintain a portion of the circuit closed while the vehicle is at rest and circuit closing means on the door to close another portion of the circuit to thereby actuate the control means.

15. In a latch construction, a bolt movable to engaged and retracted positions, means operable upon application of a light force to cause actuation of the bolt to retracted position, and speed influenced means preventing retraction of the bolt by application oi the light force upon the first mentioned means while permitting actuation of the bolt to released position upon application of a heavier force upon the first mentioned means.

16. In an automotive vehicle door latch, a bolt, means to mount the bolt for movement to engaged and to released positions, and manually operable means to cause actuation of the bolt to released position, said last mentioned means including an electro-magnet and one or more circuits therefor, a vehicle speed controlled member, means whereby the vehicle speed controlled member controls the circuit and means whereby the electro-magnet controls the force required to actuate the manually operable means.

IL-In an automotive vehicle door latch, a' bolt movable to advanced and released positions, means to move the bolt to released position, operating means to release the bolt, means to cause actuation of the operating means, and speed influenced means to prevent functioning of the actuating means when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined rate and permitting functioning of the actuating means when the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined rate and means independent of speed and operable to release'the bolt.

18. In an automotive vehicle construction, a frame member, a door member hinged -to the frame member, a bolt on one o! the members movable to engage the other member to hold the door closed, means to release the bolt, and means to actuate the releasing means, the-actuating means comprising a member under the influence of a light force and a member under the influence of a heavy force, finger tip operated means eiIective to operate the member which is under the influence of the light force, and hand operated means to operate the member which is under the influence of the heavy force and means to at times render the finger tip operated means ineffective without effecting theoperation of the hand operated means.

19. In a latch construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a bolt movable to hold the door member closed, means to release the bolt, and vehicle speed controlled means to vary the force required to actuate the bolt releasing means.

20. In an automotive vehicle door latch, a bolt,

means accessible from without the vehicle and operable to release the bolt, means accessible from within the vehicle and operable upon application of a heavy force to release the bolt and vehicle speed controlled means accessible from within the vehicle and operable to release the bolt upon the application of a light force only when the vehicle speed is below a certain rate.

21. In an automotive vehicle door latch construction, a bolt movable to advanced and to released positions, vehicle speed controlled electromagnetic circuit controlled means operable to release the bolt, and means inside and means outside of the vehicle and operable independent 01 .the circuit to control release of the bolt.

22. In an automotive vehicle door latch, a bolt, finger tip controlled means operable to a position to release the bolt, and vehicle speed controlled means independent of the bolt to prevent movement or the finger tip controlled means to a position to release the bolt.

23. In an automotive vehicle door latch, a bolt, means accessible from without the vehicle and operable to release the bolt, a remote control hand operated member operable from within the vehicle to release the bolt under all speed conditions of the vehicle and speed influenced means operable to permit release of the bolt through the action of the remote control upon the application of a light force when the vehicle speed is less than a certain rate.

BURNIE J. CRAIG.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,187,955- January 25,; 914

BURNIE J.' CRAIG. .It is hereby certified'that error appears in: the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as foilows: Page 2} first column, line-55?.for 'Yspeedmeter" read speedometer; and second column, line 10, for "pring" read spring; page 1;, second column, .line 58, claim' 5, for

v the word "lock" read bolt; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may conform to t1' 1e record of the case'in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of AprilIA; D. 19110.-

Henry Ven Arsdele, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

